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Saturday, November 1, 2008

And 12,176 Stitches Later, You Have a Bag

Really that's how many. I added them all up.

So this is what I've been doing for the past few weeks. I've had this yarn since last year just waiting to make a really cool bag. These colors are delicious together. Ecru and Heather Gray. (Doesn't that sound like some lovely exotic couple you'd love to hang out with? Oh, we can't go, Ecru and Heather Gray are coming over for dinner. Yes, don't you just love them?) :)

For this bag, I almost followed this pattern for a felted market bag, but again had to change some things. I like to make things more my own. I didn't do the stripes and I added some polka dots. I love that they include a picture in the pattern of how the handles came together. WHY can't all knitting patterns have pictures?!? It's so helpful. (I took careful notes and did several diagrams while I was working on this so if you are going to make it and want some tips, feel free to e-mail me! I'd love to help.)

I used 4 skeins of Cascade 220. Two of each color and I have about 1 yard of each color left. Really. One yard. It was dicey as I was seaming the base thinking I may run out of yarn.

Here's the bag before felting. It's about 16" x 14". (The base is all wonky because knitted fabric shrinks more lengthwise).

Here it is after felting being blocked. It's about 12" x 13".

What is felting and blocking? Quick explanation: Basically you knit with 100% wool yarn and then wash it in really hot water (like when you accidentally shrink a wool sweater) and it becomes boiled wool or felt. It becomes a solid textile. You can even cut it up after that and it won't fray or come undone. Blocking is stretching the item out after it's been felted to the shape you want it and letting it dry that way. I'm using my gigantic hardcover The Art Book inside the bag to hold the right size and shape. The book is wrapped in grocery bags since the bag is still quite damp.